A record 277 anglers took part in this popular competition
[at Thornlea Dam on a private ski farm) in the Tala Valley
catching and releasing a total of 202 fish.
By far the most industrious team was the family of
Wayne Easton who caught a total of 42 fish. Brothers,
Eli (10) and Zac (7), caught 27 within the first hour
of the first day – setting the bar impossibly high and
winning several prizes. This is how the weekend unfolded. Once again, the
usually tranquil oasis transformed into a whirlwind
of noise, laughter and activity – as the host of
intrepid anglers and their families arrived en-masse
on the Friday afternoon.
Tommy Rainbird weighed in the heaviest bag Overall
of 7.367kg and the heaviest fish of 3.3kg was caught
by Matthew Howells (also on Day 1). Lowrance SA’s
Steph Geel caught the second heaviest fish among
the ladies and the Ladies heaviest bag of 2.305kg. Excited children spilled out of cars and bolted off
in all directions, in the vain attempt to avoid the
inevitable summons to help set up camp. Camper
vans, sleep-friendly 4 x 4’s and tents sprang up all
over the vast, manicured lawns – until eventually
out of the chaos emerged a well-ordered campsite,
thanks to carefully pre-planned site demarcations.
As for the tagged Bass…the lucky fish is still
swimming….!!